Distributing mechanism of typographical composing and casting machines



R. D. CARTER. DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM OF TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING AND CASTING MACHINES.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 4; I921. 1,427,517

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

2 SHEETS SHEET I.

v R. D. CARTER. DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM OF TYPOGRAPHICAL COMROSING AND'C/ASTING MACHINES.

APPLlCATlON FILED MAY 4. I921.

Patented Aug. '29, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

PATENT OFFlClF...

ROBERT DUDLEY CARTER, OF BBOADI'IEATH, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOB TO LINOTYPE AND IrIACHINERY LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM OF TYPOGRAPHICAL GOMPOSING AND CASTING MACHINES.

LeZYfiiEL Application filed May 4,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronnnr DUDLEY CAR- Tnn, asubject of the King of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at Linotype and Machinery Works, Broadheath, in the countyof Chester, England, have invented new and useful lmprovements in or Relating to the Distributing Mechanism of Typograph cal Composing and Casting Machines, of which the follow ing is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in the distributing mechanism of tyopgraphlcal composing machines such as those known commercially under the trade mark Linotype. More particularly it relates to that type of such machines which is equipped with a plurality of magazines containing matrices of respectively different fonts or faces, adjustable as a whole to bring difierent pairs of them into operative relationship with two font distributors.

Machines of this kind are known in which the distribution of matrices to the pair of magazines in operative relationship to the two distributors which are arranged one above the other, is effected by means of a fixed central rail located at the receiving end of the upper distributor. The matrices of the upper magazine of the pair are provided with a central notch, while those for the lower magazine are unnotched and on being presented to the distributor, the notched matrices drop down over the central rail sufiiciently to prevmt them from being engaged by the upper distributor bar, and after passing over the rail they drop into a chute which conducts them to a distributor or separator box, wherein in well-known Didlb ner, they are separated and allowed successively to engage with the low r set of distributor screws by which they are distributed to the upper magazine. On 'the other'hand, the unnotchcd matrices intended for the lower magazine of the pair are supported by the central rail at a level which enables them to engage the upper distributor bar whereby they are distributed to the lower magazine. This method of distribution, however, limits the'possiblc use of the magazines in the column to a number of successive pairs, the magazines containing alternately unnotched and notched matrlces;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

1921. Serial No. 466,845.

that is to say, in a machine of this construction provided with four magazines, only two pairs comprising respectively the first and second, and the third and fourth of the magazines, can be simultaneously operated, since the distributor is only able to direct a notched matrix to the upper magazine and an unnotched matrix to the lower magazine, and its selective function has not been variable to permit of a reversal of this order of delivery. Y

It has been proposed'to increase the range of utility of such machines by substituting for the fixed central rail a series of font-selecting bridges of known type, each pro vided with a distinctive combination of ridges corresponding to distinctive notches in the feet of matrices in a respective magazinc, and providing means whereby the location of any magazine in the upper operative position, renders operative the particular bridge corresponding to the matrices contained in that magazine, thus enabling the distributors to work in conjunction with any two successive magazines.

The object of the present invention is to secure the desired variability of the selec tive function of the'distributor, by a simpler construction. To this end, the fixed central rail above referred to, is substituted by a movable rail or rails adapted to occupy in the path of the matrices being presented to the distributor, two distinct positions in relation to the feet of the matrices, means are provided acting byor through the ad justment of the magazine column for moving the said rail to and retaining it in one or other of its two positions, and the feet of the matrices for the respective magazines are appropriately notched in a manner such as that hereinafter more particularly referred to.

A preferred constructional form of the invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of the distributing mechanism and adjacent parts of the machine;

Figure 2 is a right-hand side elevation of Figure 1, shown partly in section,

Figure 3 illustrates matrices suitably notched for co-operating with the constructional form of selector-bridge shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Fig.4 is an enlarged transverse section showing in detail the mounting for the se lector-bridge. v

The general construction of the machine in connection with which the invention is illustrated in the drawings is of known form, the magazines 1, 2, 3, 4 being adjustable columnwise (as by lever-actuated links of which only one, 7 8, is shown in the drawings) relatively to thetwo distributors 5, 6, to the latter of which matrices are conducted from the former by the transfer chute 7.

According to the present invention, an adjustable font-selector bridge 8 is provided which, in the constructional form now being dealt with, has two rails or ridges 30 in a position to engage the feet of the matrices as the latter leave the distributor box 61, and is rigidly attached to a rod 128 slidably mounted between the front bottom rail 131, and rear bottom rail 132 of the distributor box 61. The rod 128 is formed with a shoulder 128 against which the bridge piece 8 is held by a collar. 128 secured to the end of the rod 128, the bridge piece being held vertical by a pin 128 driven into side rails 131 and 132 and passin loosely through the bridge piece to allow the latter to slide freely thereon when moved from one position to the other. The rod 128 is extended towards the front of the machine, passing through a guideway provided for it in the lower distributor beam 134 or a suitable par of the machine frame 12, and is preferably fitted with a turn-buckle 135 whereby its effective length can be adjusted to regulate the operative positions of the bridge 8. The rod 128 is arranged to slide fore-and-aft of the machine under the control of the move ment of the magazines, for which purpose it may be conveniently connected, on the front side of the beam 134, to one arm 136 of a bell-crank lever pivoted to a bracket 137 on the beam 134, the other arm 138 of which lever is connected by a link 139, to a second lever 140, 141, pivoted at 142 to a bracket 143 secured to the machine frame 12. The arm 141 of the last mentioned lever carries a roller 144, which is normally retained, by a tension spring 145 acting on the link 139, in the path of a cam-block 146 secured to the adjacent side of the column of magazines. The location of the cam-block 146 is such that when the two upper magazines 1 and 2 are in the operative position, as shown in the drawings, the lever 140, 141, and the lever 136, 138, will be held, under the control of the spring 145, in the position in which they are shown in full lines in the drawings, while movement of the magazine column to bring the second pair 2 and 3, of magazines to the operative position, will cause the roller 144 to ride over the upper cam face 147 of the block 146, and to be held in the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. On further movement of the magazine-column to its uppermost position indicated by dotanddash lines in Figure 2, in which position the third pair, 3 and 4, of the magazines are in operation, the roller 144 will ride down the lower cam face 148 and again occupy its normal position under the control of the spring 145. Thus, when either of the pairs of magazines 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 are in operation, the selector bridge 8 will occupy its rearward position with its rear face in contact with the rear bottom-rail 132 of the distributor box 61, as shown in Fig. 2, but the bringing into operation of the middle pair of magazines, 2 and 3, will cause the bridge 8 to be moved to and held in its frontward position with its front face in contact with the front bottom-rail 131, as shown in Fig. 4.

Matrices 133, 133 suitable for use with the above-described font-selector bridge, are illustrated in Figure 3. It is to be noted that both such matrices have their two fontdistinguishing notches 29 at the same distance part, corresponding with the distance separating the two ridges 30 on the fontselector bridge, but the notches 29 of a matrix 133 are difiierently located with reference to the centre line of the matrix as compared with those of a matrix 133, the arrangement being such that notches 29 of matrices 133 will register with the ridges 30 only when the selector-bridge 8 is in its rearmost position under the comrol of the spring 145, and the notches 29 of matrices 133 will register with those riuges only when the selector-bridge 8 is in its foremost position under the control of the cam block 146. i

In carrying out the invention, matrices such as 133 are contained in alternate magazines commencing with the uppermost of the column, magazines 1 and 3 in the ex ample illustrated, while matrices 133 are stored in the remaining alternate magazines, e. g., 2 and 4, and distribution will therefore be accurately effected to the two magazines of any pair which may be in operative position. F or instance, when, as illustrated in the drawings, magazines 1 and 2 constitute the operative pair, the selector-bridge 8 is in its rearmost position under the control of the spring 145. Under these conditions, matrices l33 'appropriate to magazine 2 will travel over the ridges 30 and be delivered to that magazine by the upper distributor 5, while matrices 133 appropriate to magazine 1, whose notches 29 correspond with the then position of the ridges 30, will straddle those ridges and be delivered through the chute 7 to the lower distributor 6 and thence to the magazine 1. As explained above, the bringing into operation of magazines 2 and 3 will cause the bridge 8 to take up its foremost position. Matrices 133 will then straddle the ridges 30 and consequently will be conveyed through the chute 7 to the lower distributor 6 which is then serving the magazine 2, while matrices 133 appropriate to the magazine 3 will ride over the ridges and be dealt with by the upper distributor 5 then serving that magazine. As the magazines 3 and 4c contain matrices 133, 133 respectively corresponding with those in magazines 1 and 2, and the position of the bridge 8 is the same for the operation of either of the two pairs of magazines 1 and 2, or 3 and 4, it will be understood that the distribution will be accurately effected for the last pair of magazines in the same manner as forthe first pain All matrices for the magazines 1, 2 and 3, must have, in addition to the special font distinguishing notches 29, the usual central separating notch 1&9, seeingthat each of those magazines is,in turn,served by the lower distributor 6 and the matrices therefore have to be dealt with by the known separator box; butv as the lowermost magazine at of the column is only served by the upper distributor, such central notch is not essential to the matrices Stored therein, though it may be convenient to provide same to permit of the magazine being used in a different position in the column if it should at any time be desired to so use it.

The above described constructional formmay, obviously, be considerably varied without departing from the essential features of the invention. For example, suitable means, other than those illustrated, may be provided for effecting the adjustment of the selectorbridge, and the latter may, if desired, have only a single ridge or rail, in which case the matrices in alternate magazines of the column would be provided with single fontdistinguishing notches at respectively opposite sides of their feet. Even in the last mentioned form, it will be recognized that the invention is clearly distinguished from the known type of adjustable font-distinguishers which have been employed in connection with the distribution of matrices to single magazine and which operate by arresting on its passage. to the distributor any matrix not appropriate to the magazine in operation, seeing that the function of the last-mentioned devices is essentially rejective, and that the said devices are inappliaible to the selective function called for by the n'esent invention. i U 6 It is pointed out that the term iont is not used herein in any limiting sense but only in a general descriptive way. For in.- stance, when in the appended claims the magazines are referred to as adapted to contain matrices of respectively different fonts, it is to be understood that this is intended to embrace matrix sets of different form and quite irrespective of the size or style of the matrices stored in the different magazines.

Having described my inventioml declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines adapted to contain matrices of respectively different fonts, two distributors adapted to distribute matrices simultaneously to two adjacent magazines, and magazine-moving means adapted tobring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a font-selector. bridge adapted to determine the level at which matrices pass a given point in their'path towards the distributors, and means controlled through the operation of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to different operative positions.

2. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines adapted to contain matrices of respectively different fonts, two distributors adapted to distribute matrices simultaneously to two adjacent magazines, and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines suecessively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a font-selector bridge adapted to determine the level atwhich matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, and means controlled through the operation of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to two different operative positions alternately as the successive magazines are moved into. operative relationship with the distributors.

3. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a ridged font-selector bridge adapted to cooperate with notched matrices to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, means controlled through the operation of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to two different operative posi are moved into operative relationship with the distributors, and matrices in alternate magazines notched to pass the said given point at one level when the bridge is in one operative position and at another level when the bridge is in the other operative position.

4. In a machine such as described, the combination witha'column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a ridged font-selector bridge adapted to cotions alternately as the successive magazines I operate with notched matrices to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, means controlled through the operation of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to two different operative positions alternately as the successive magazines are moved into operative relationship with the distributors, and matrices in successive magazines notched to pass the said given point at one and the same level when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement 01 the respective magazine into operative relationship with one of the distributors.

5. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a ridged font-selector bridge adapted to cooperate with notched matrices to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, means controlled through the operation of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to two different operative positions alternately as the successive magazines are moved into operative relationship with the distributors, and matrices in successive magazines notched to pass the said given point at one and the same level when the bridge is in the operative position de termined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with one of the distributors, and at another level when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with the other of the distributors.

6. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines adapted to contain matrices of respectively different fonts, two distributors adapted to distribute matrices simultaneously to two adjacent magazines, and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a font-selector bridge adapted to determine the level at which matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, a sliding member to which the bridge is rigidly attached, means adapted to slide said member in one direction and to normally retain the bridge in one operative position, and means operated through the movement of alternate magazines into operative relationship with the cistributo-rs adapted to slide said member in the opposite direction to locate the bridge in another operative position.

7. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines,

two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successiveiy into operative relationship with the distributors, of a ridged font-selector bridge adapted to cooperate with notched matrices, to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors, a sliding member to which the bridge is rigidly attached, means adapted to slide said member in one direction and to normally retain the bridge in one operative position, means operated tl rough the movement of alternate magazines into operative relationship with the distributors adapted to slide said member in the opposite directionto locate the bridge in another operative position, and matrices in alternate magazines notched to pass said given pointat one level i when the bridge is in the first-named operative position and at another, level when the bridge is in the vsecondnamed operative position.

8. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneouslywith' two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into open ative relationship with the distributors, of a ridged font-selector bridge adapted to cooperate with notched matrices to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards thedistributors,

sliding member to which the bridgeiis dly attached, means adapted to slide said member in one direction and to normally retain the bridge in one operativeposit-ion, means operated vthrough the movement of alternate magazines into operative relationship with the distributors adapted to slide said member in the opposite direction to locate the bridge in another operative position, matrices in succesrive magazines notched to pass'the said given point at one and thesai 1e level when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with one of the distributors, means adapted to convey to the said distributor matrices passing said point at that level, and means adapted to convey to the other distributor aatri es passing said point at another level.

9. In machine such as described, the combination with a column of ma azines,

two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent maga iii es and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a rigid font-selector bridge adapted to cooperate with notched matrices to determine the level at which such matrices pass a given point in their path towards the distributors,

sliding member to which the bridge is rigidly attached, means adapted to slide said member in one direction and to normally retain the bridge in one operative position, means operated through the movement of alternate magazines into operative relationship with the distributors adapted to slide said member in the opposite direction to locate the bridge in another operative position, matrices in successive magazines notched to pass the said given point at one and the same level when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with one of the distributors, and at another level when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with the other of the l distributors, and means adapted to convey to the respective distributors matrices pass .ing said point at the respective levels.

10. In a machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a tent selector bridge having two selector rails, means controlled through the opera-- tion of the magazine-moving means adapted to move the bridge to two different operative positions alternately as the successive magazines aremoved into operative relationship with the distributors and matrices in successive magazines notched to straddle the rails when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with one of the distributors, and to ride over the rails when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respective magazine into operative re lationship with the other of the distributors.

1.1. In a. machine such as described, the combination with a column of magazines, two distributors adapted to co-operate simultaneously with two adjacent magazines and magazine-moving means adapted to bring the magazines successively into operative relationship with the distributors, of a font Selector bridge having two selector rails, a sliding member to which the bridge is rigidly attached, means adapted to slide said member in one direction and to normally retain the bridge in one operative position, means operated through the movement of alternate magazines into operative relationship with the distributors, adapted to slide said member in the opposite direction to locate the bridge in another operative position, matrices in successive magazines notched to straddle the rails when the bridge is in the operative position determined by the movement of the respectlve magazine into operatlve relationship with one of the d1str1butors, and to ride over the rails when the bridge is in the operative position deter mined by the. movement of the respective magazine into operative relationship with the other of the distributors, and means adapted to convey'to one distributor matrices which straddle the rails and to the other distributor those which ride overv the said rails.

12. In a machine such as described, the combination with a plurality of distributors, and an adjustable selector bridge for directing matrices to the respective distributors according to form, of a magazine containing matrices of a given form, means whereby said magazine may be operatively connected to one or another of the distributors, and automatic means for adjusting the selector bridge to eiiect the delivery of the matrices contained in said magazine to the particular distributor with which it is connected.

13. In the machine such as described, the combination with a plurality of distributors, and an adjustable selector bridge for directing matrices to the respective distributors according to form, of a magazine containing matrices of a given form and movable into operative relation to one or another of the distributors, and automatic means for adjusting the selector bridge to efiect the delivery ot the matrices contained in said magazine to the particular distributor with which it is brought into operative relation.

14. In a machine such as described, the combination of a matrix magazine movable to and from operative position, a distributor to cooperate with said magazine, an adjustable selector bridge for directing to said distributor matrices of one form or another, and means controlled by the movement of said magazine to operative position for adjusting the selector bridge to effect the delivcry to the distributor of matrices of the form contained in said magazine.

15. In a machine such as described, the combination of a magazine containing matrices of a given form and replaceable in operative position by another magazine containing matrices of a different form, a distributor, an adjustable selector bridge for directing to said distributor matrices of one form or another, and means actuated by the replacement of the magazine for adjusting the selector bridge to effect the delivery to the distributor of matrices of the form contained in the substitute magazine.

16. In a machine such as described, the combination of a plurality of magazines containing' matrices of different forms, a smaller plurality of distributors, an adjustable se lector bridge for directing matrices to the respective distributors according to form,

means whereby the several distributors may be operatively connected to different groups of magazines, and automatic means for adjusting the selector bridge to effect the de- I livery to said distributors of matrices of the particular terms contained in the cooperatmg magazines.

17. In a machine such as described, the combination of a pluralityof magazines containing matrices of difiierent forms, asmaller plurality of distributors, an adjustable selector bridge for directing matrices to the resuective distributors according to term, means for moving the magazines to bring different groups thereof into operative relation to the several distributors, and means controlled by such movement of the magazines for adjusting the selector bridge to effeet the delivery to said distributors of matrices of the particular forms contained in the operative group of magazines.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature hereto.

ROBERT DUDLEY CARTER. 

